Improving Landscape Tree Health through Sustainable Management Practices , January 9, 2025 8:00AM

Trees are integral and necessary features of the built environment, and too often their health and structural stability are taken for granted. Benefits provided by trees are unparalleled, but managing urban trees can be resource intensive. Long-term planning when working with existing trees (or planting new ones) can increase the sustainability of our work practices by reducing the inputs necessary to keep our landscapes safe, beautiful, and beneficial.

Join three of Pittsburgh's leading arborists for a day of instruction and discussion about the proper care of trees. You will learn how trees function, how to work with trees, and how incorporating these ideas into your long-term plans for the trees in your care can increase the sustainability of the work you perform. 

Schedule

7:30 – 8:00 am – Coffee, check in

8:00 am – 9:45 am – The Role of Tree Biology in Recognizing Tree Vulnerability

10:00 am – 11:30 am – Modern Tree Care: Common Techniques vs. Proven Best Practices

Lunch

12:15 pm – 1:45 pm – Park Walk: Spotting Tree Health and Structure Risk Factors

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – The True Cost of Tree Care: Strategies for Sustainable Management

Course Instructors

Andrew Tomaskovic

Andrew Tomaskovic is a Board-Certified Master Arborist and Certified Tree Climber based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has served in many roles since entering the industry in 2012, starting with planting, pruning, and removing trees and shrubs, and providing plant health care services to the landscape. As the owner and principal arborist of Attentive Arborist Services, he serves as an advisor to homeowners, HOAs, municipal entities, and commercial contractors. He’s grateful for the opportunity to inform and educate clients about how to maximize the usable service life of the trees in their care, and thus maximize the value that trees provide to all of us. 

Andrew lives with his wife, daughter, and two dogs in the Carrick neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He likes to eat breakfast for dinner, drink a variety of herbal teas, and ride his bike around the neighborhood he calls home.

Arch Autenreith

Arch was first introduced to the tree care industry in the summer of 2007, before graduating from North Allegheny High School in 2008. He continued working in tree care through college and graduated cum laude from Slippery Rock University in 2012 with a degree in history, and a minor in Spanish. After graduation, Arch continued working in the arboriculture field in order to follow his passion of climbing trees and developing an increasing interest in proper tree care. He has been an ISA Certified Arborist since 2015.

With over 16 years of experience within the industry, Arch has held a variety of positions including production arborist, sales representative, trainer, safety coordinator for industry events, competitor/judge/volunteer at tree climbing competitions, product development with arborist supply companies, and has served on the board of directors (currently involved with committees) of the regional Penn Del chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture.

This variety of experiences has allowed Arch to network with some of the best experts within the industry, in order to develop some of the most effective and progressive tree care services for the Pittsburgh region. Continuing education and a passion for tree care and ecology keeps him engaged within the industry, in order to provide proper tree care to the best of his abilities.

Arch lives in McCandless with his wife Alyssa, their three children Carson, Jackson, and Lincoln, and their loyal Boston Terrier Pipsqueak. He enjoys spending time with his family, time spent outdoors (including hiking and backpacking), and learning about ecology

Burlton Griffith

Burlton Griffith is an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and Certified Tree Climber. He is lead production Arborist for Northwood Treecare. Burlton is also owner of Metalmark Sustainable LLC—a consulting business for sustainable arboriculture, landscapes, and ecological gardening with a focus on ecoregion appropriate plant communities. He worked as a top Plant Healthcare Specialist for more than a decade. A Phipps Conservatory Accredited Sustainable Landcare Professional, Burlton also volunteers with PA Master Naturalists.

Burlton is a passionate Arborist and Naturalist with particular interests in botany, ecology, geology, plant/insect interactions and plant communities - especially those of the Appalachian/Cumberland Plateaus and Interior Low Plateau.